By Horn Africa News
Sabiid, Lower Shabelle Region — In the early hours of Thursday morning, Al-Shabaab militants launched a deadly and coordinated attack on military bases housing Somali Federal Government forces and African Union peacekeepers under the ATMIS mission (now AUSSOM), in the strategic town of Sabiid, located in the outskirts of Afgooye district.
The assault began with a series of large explosions targeting the army installations, followed by intense ground fighting between the militants and troops stationed at the scene. Witnesses described the initial blasts as powerful and followed by a prolonged exchange of heavy gunfire.
Eyewitnesses in the area reported that both Somali government forces and AU troops mounted a fierce resistance to repel the attackers. Sporadic gunfire could still be heard in the area hours after the attack, along with visible troop movements, suggesting ongoing operations to secure the town.
While the exact number of casualties remains unconfirmed, preliminary reports suggest that both sides suffered losses, with deaths and injuries reported. The attack also triggered widespread panic among local residents, leading to displacement and fear across the community.
Sabiid is considered a key strategic location due to its proximity to Afgooye and Mogadishu. In recent months, the military bases in the area had been reinforced as part of broader efforts to prevent Al-Shabaab incursions. However, today’s attack underscores the militant group’s continued ability to carry out well-planned assaults on government and international military positions.
As of the time of reporting, neither the Somali Ministry of Defence nor the AUSSOM mission had issued an official statement regarding the incident.
